Dr. Bryan J Massoud

Bryan J. Massoud, MD, age 54, of Englewood Cliffs and formerly of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 6, 2020.

A devoted father and gifted surgeon, Bryan dedicated his life to loving his family, healing his patients, and living in the moment.

Bryan is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Josephine, and his sister Patricia, and is survived by his loving wife Jodi, children Raquel, Luke, and Benjamir, brother Anthony, and numerous other family members and friends.

The following is the eulogy that was shared by Bryan’s daughter Raquel at the Funeral Mass:

My father was the most gregarious, intelligent and generous person that I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a beloved son, husband, father, uncle, friend, and role model to many. A gifted surgeon, a soulful musician, a quick-witted storyteller, and a trailblazer.

He had a spark about him that was undeniable. When he spoke--you listened, whether he was captivating you with a story only Dad could tell, giving you his famous pre-college speech, calling your name down the office halls, or yelling instructions across the point table (if you know, you know).

Dad was the master of ceremonies, the ringleader, the life of the party. Fun came naturally to him, and if you could open yourself up to the ride, he’d happily take you along for it.

People from all walks of life were drawn to him because he was so non-judgmental, and genuinely himself. Whether it was a stranger in a crowded room, a new associate at a business dinner, or a woman sitting next to him on an airplane that would later become his future wife and mother of his children, my father could make a lifelong friend in a matter of minutes.

Dad squeezed countless lifetimes of laughter and adventure into his 54 years, because he lived fully in the moment.

He has given me everything in my life that is worth having. He has taught me the necessity of balance--The ethics of working hard and the fruit it bears, the importance of playing hard and the joy it brings, and how one cannot live without the other. He has taught me to trust in life, how to let go of what doesn’t matter, but most importantly, how to live freely.

I am grateful for the privilege of being molded by him. For the gift of Jodi, his soulmate, my greatest ally in this life. For my brothers, who are more like him than they may yet understand, and for teaching us how to have fun all these years.

Some people believe that before we are born, our souls choose the paths our lives will take, and the lives that our paths will cross with.

If I could have seen the way my father’s life would play out--if I could have looked in the face of the sickness and pain that was coming for him, and the loss that was coming for us--I wouldn’t have traded his path for anyone else’s.

One of a kind. Irreplaceable. My father.

Raquel Massoud

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to THANC Foundation, PO Box 1021 New York, NY 10276, or online at thancfoundation.org/give. The THANC Foundation is committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer, to advancing new therapies, and alleviating the suffering of patients who undergo treatment.